Oct 21, 2024: An inspiring conversation about the role of India and the diaspora in the exploration of space. We heard from leaders at NASA, ISRO, and Axiom Space about the upcoming Ax-4 Mission and the limitless potential of global collaboration—on Earth and beyond. Moderator: Sree Sreenivasan, president of SAJA Panelists: Tejpaul (Tej) Bhatia, Chief Revenue Officer at Axiom Space Anita Dey, Strategic Partnerships Manager, Outreach & Engagement, NASA HQ Group Captain Shubhanshu (Shux) Shukla, Ax-4 Assigned Pilot & ISRO Astronaut
Brought to you by SAJA, Indiaspora and Axiom Space

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Summary generated by Zoom AI

NASA, Axiom Space, and India's Future 
Anita, a NASA representative, discussed her work on the James Webb Space Telescope launch and the total solar eclipse, as well as NASA's collaboration with India, including the Nisar Mission. Shubhanshu, an astronaut assigned to the Axiom 4 mission, shared his journey to becoming an astronaut and the importance of being open to opportunities. Tejpaul, the Chief Revenue Officer at Axiom Space, discussed the company's work on the International Space Station and the Axiom 4 mission, highlighting its historical significance and the company's role in opening up access to space. The panelists also discussed the Artemis accords and the importance of peaceful exploration of space, as well as the potential impact of space exploration on India, including inspiring a new generation of scientists and engineers, driving technological innovation, and advancements in various fields.

Axiom Space's Journey to Space 
Tejpaul shared his journey from being passionate about space as a child to becoming the Chief Revenue Officer at Axiom Space, a commercial space company. He highlighted the company's achievement in partnering with NASA, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), and the US and Indian governments, despite the challenges of bureaucracy and procurement. Tejpaul also shared a personal moment of pride when he realized the significance of his role in making space travel accessible to people of diverse backgrounds. Shubhanshu, one of the four astronauts selected for the mission, described his feelings of elation and the sense of reality that came with the possibility of being in space. He also briefly touched on the intense training process they underwent.

Future of Space Exploration and Opportunities
Sree Sreenivasan moderated a panel discussion with Anita Day from NASA, Tejpaul Bhatia from Axiom Space, and Shubhanshu Shukla from ISRO. The panelists discussed the future of space exploration, commercialization, and opportunities for Indian startups. Shubhanshu shared his experiences in inspiring young people and emphasized being comfortable with discomfort. Tejpaul explained Axiom Space's role in building destinations for space travel, while Anita highlighted the importance of broadening participation. The panelists also shared their personal journeys in the field.

Space Exploration and Indian Impact 
In the meeting, Anita, Shubhanshu, Tejpaul, and Sree discussed the importance of space exploration and its potential impact on India. Shubhanshu shared his hopes for his mission to inspire a new generation of scientists and engineers in India, and Tejpaul emphasized the role of private sector companies like Axiom in driving technological innovation and workforce development. The team also discussed the potential for space to drive advancements in medicine, data centers, and materials science. Sree asked about the impact of Indian culture on space exploration, and Anita responded by highlighting the importance of taking risks and pushing the boundaries of what is possible. The conversation ended with a call for more questions and comments from the audience.

Improving Project Structure and Communication
The team discussed the need for a more comprehensive and detailed approach to their project, with a focus on the importance of understanding the customer's needs and pain points. They agreed on the necessity of a more structured and organized process, with clear roles and responsibilities assigned to each team member. The team also emphasized the importance of effective communication and collaboration to ensure the project's success. They ended the conversation with a commitment to work on these aspects and reconvene to review progress.

Preparing Astronauts for Space Travel 
Shubhanshu discussed the importance of preparing astronauts for unexpected situations and the physiological effects of space travel, emphasizing the need for psychological preparation and training on scientific experiments. Sree then asked Anita about promoting diversity in the astronaut community and ensuring equal access to space. Anita shared NASA's efforts to broaden participation and promote inclusion, including the creation of employee resource groups. She also reflected on her personal experiences as an Indian American and the responsibility that comes with advocating for other minority groups. Shubhanshu complimented Anita's thoughts and drew an analogy about how one's sense of home and identity expands as humanity ventures into space.

GENERATED BY ZOOM AI